Duck May Return To San Anselmo Seniors Home After Feds Get Involved

SAN RAFAEL (KPIX 5) – A mallard that wandered away from an assisted living center in the North Bay last month is getting help from high places. The duck meant so much to the residents, a local congressman is now getting involved.

A deal is in the works to return Juanita the duck to the care of residents at the Bello Gardens senior assisted living center in San Anselmo.

On Friday afternoon, a meeting at Congressman Jared Huffman's San Rafael office brought together Bello Gardens and Wildcare, the animal care facility that say it could not legally release Juanita because the senior center lacks a federal permit to keep the wild mallard.

Also at the meeting was the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, which will allow Bello Gardens to apply for an educational permit, so the seniors can get Juanita back.

Mark Bello, the facility's owner, told KPIX 5 that all sides are supportive of the idea so far. "In the end, Juanita is coming back," Bello said.

Bello Gardens would have to come up with a conservation education program that teaches about wild birds.

Juanita has been a beloved friend of the elderly residents living at Bello Gardens for the last two years, after she was found abandoned at 4 days old.

Last month, the mallard got over a fence and got lost. A neighbor found Juanita and she was taken to wildcare, where she remains.

The permit is called the "Federal Migratory Bird Special Purpose Possession - Education Permit for Live Birds." It requires a minimum of 100 hours training in caring for live birds.

Obtaining the permit for Juanita could take months.